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Commenting on today's labour market statistics, Charles Levy, senior economist at The Work Foundation, said: 

 “Today’s statistics from the ONS show the labour market is continuing to recover strongly. Full-time employment is increasing quickly and unemployment is falling. However, the data also highlights just how tough the labour market is at the margins as the cost of living continues to rise with real wages continuing to fall.

 “While there is a big drop in youth unemployment, it increased slightly among 16 and 17 year olds emphasising wider unanswered structural problems. Underemployment remains a problem with 1.4 million individuals working part-time. The jump in self-employment is also of concern since self-employment is dominated by low-wage work.  If our recovery is to be sustained, the attention must now shift onto supporting those on the edge of our labour market.”

Notes to editors

1. Charles Levy, senior economist and Lizzie Crowley, head of youth unemployment, are available for interviews, briefings and written comment.
2. The Work Foundation aims to be the leading independent, international authority on work and its future, influencing policy and practice for the benefit of society. The Work Foundation is part of Lancaster University – an alliance that enables both organisations to further enhance their impact.